February 2006

15th February 2006

12:00 AM — The Pentagon's costs for firing service members for homosexuality under its "don't ask, don't tell" policy nearly doubled last year according to research.Figures from a University of California commission of military experts said it cost over $360 million to enforce the policy from 1994 to 2003. That is 91 percent more than the $190.5 million estimated a year ago by the Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative arm.

12:00 AM — The gay bishop at the heart of the Anglican Church's dispute over homosexuality is being treated for alcoholism.New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, whose ordination in 2003 enraged conservative Anglicans and threatened to break up the church, revealed his problems in a letter on his diocese's website.

12:00 AM — The minister who performed Canada's first gay marriage had his own application for a ceremony granted yesterday with his partner of 25 years.The Rev Brent Hawkes applied for a same sex union with John Sproule on Valentines Day morning at Toronto City Hall.The couple will wed on March 7, their 25th anniversary.

12:00 AM — A man who was attacked in a gay bar has complained after he felt paramedics gave him below standard treatment because of his sexuality.Robert R. Perry,52, was struck in the head with a hatchet and shot in the back by 18-year-old Jacob D. Robida, who later killed himself during a police chase. Two other men also were injured in the attack in February at Puzzles Lounge.

14th February 2006

12:00 AM — Research conducted by PinkNews.co.uk has revealed that gay venues in London are not prepared for the newly passed ban on smoking in public places that will become law next summer.London's top pubs and clubs were phoned and asked how much of an impact a ban would have on their trade. Some places had little idea about the legislation and others felt it would make no difference.

12:00 AM — Two Christian groups who say they help people "recover from homosexuality," are holding an event in St Louis, USA.Exodus International, had billboards installed along St. Louis roads last week. Focus on the Family, the other group, will host the meeting Feb. 25 at the First Evangelical Free Church in Manchester.The billboards say, "I questioned homosexuality. Change is possible. Discover how," and lists the Web site for Exodus.

12:00 AM — As you cuddle up to your partner for Valentines night this evening, spare a thought for Indian gay couples in New Delhi who face arrest for declaring their love.Gay sex has been banned in India since colonial times. The Supreme Court told the Delhi High Court to take another look at a petition, which has pleased sexual rights groups.

12:00 AM — The Isle of Man's education minister, David Anderson, is facing allegations of homophobia and has been told to quit over comments that homosexuality has 'huge health implications, it's being claimed.The Glenfaba MHK is also said to believe gay lifestyles should not be promoted as equal to heterosexual relationships.

12:00 AM — A gay youth group is to be launched in Shropshire to help young people cope with homosexual issues.The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), an HIV and sexual health charity, has started an organisation for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people. It will add to a number of services run from the charity's new office in Wellington.

12:00 AM — Campaigners for and against gay marriage will be keeping an eye on New Jersey tomorrow when the issue is debated before the state Supreme Court.In the courtroom the arguments will mainly concentrate on who should decide whether to allow it: lawmakers or judges.The state Attorney General's office, defending New Jersey's ban on same-sex marriage, believes the Legislature should make such important and controversial decisions.

12:00 AM — Two people have been arrested over the murder of a well known man on the Oxford gay scene.Detectives are remaining quiet over the death of Guy Thomas, 41, whose body was found in a flat in Cowley, Oxford, on Friday.Mr Thomas, 41, died from loss of blood from a head injury. Police believe he had been assaulted. A man aged 32 and woman aged 33 were arrested on the weekend. Yesterday, magistrates gave them until midday today to continue holding them.

12:00 AM — Saddam Hussein called his trial judges homosexuals yesterday in a further tirade at the Baghdad court where he is accused of mass murder.The former Iraqi leader wanted to boycott the hearing but the chief judge ordered him to attend.Mr Hussein protested shouting, "Down with Bush!" as he walked into the Baghdad court.

12:00 AM — The star of Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger, who won accolades for his performance as a gay cowboy, looks set to play a gay man again.He is rumoured to be lined up for the role of gay icon, Hollywood actor Rock Hudson.Movie site AintItCoolNews.com claims the Australian actor is favourite to land the role of the closeted actor, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 1985.

12:00 AM — The Israeli Family Court recognised lesbian couples as joint mothers for the first time on Sunday.Tal and Avital Yarous-Hakak, received their adoption orders and are listed as the mothers of their three children.The orders were issued in light of a High Court of Justice ruling on the matter, according to which adoption laws allow the process, even if the both partners are of the same gender.

12:00 AM — A lesbian is accusing her bosses of discrimination after she says they did nothing after she was groped by co workers and verbally assaulted over her sexuality.Bonnie Usher worked at the Cracker Barrel restaurant, a home country food chain, in Londonderry, New Hampshire. She filed a complained with the state's human rights commission against the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store accusing management of discriminating against her.

12:00 AM — Civil partnerships help boost mental and physical health among homosexuals and lesbians, according to research.British researchers highlight evidence that, among heterosexuals, individuals who are married have generally lower rates of depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse and suicide and are in better physical shape than single people.

12:00 AM — Research conducted by PinkNews.co.uk has revealed that gay venues in London are unprepared for a possible ban on smoking in public places.The city's top pubs and clubs were phoned and asked how much of an impact a ban would have on their trade. Some places had little idea about the legislation and others felt it would make no difference.

13th February 2006

12:00 AM — Parents are outraged at a school guidebook which contains a chapter describing graphic details of gay sex.The Daily Mail reports that a school pamphlet teaching children to 'talk dirty' and use cling film to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, is being used to provide sex education to students from 14 years old. It has already sold 60,000 copies.

12:00 AM — A family described by the police as as a "neighbours from hell" have been evicted from their Cheltenham home after they taunted abuse at gay people and attacked a disabled man.The single mother and her three daughters shouted abuse at visitors to the gay EXS nightclub on Cheltenham High Street from their home nearby.

12:00 AM — Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales has been accused of cashing in on his late sister's memory by opening up her ancestral home for gay weddings.Althrop House, where the late wife of Prince Charles was brought up, can be rented out for £50,000 as a luxury wedding venue for gay and straight couples.

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